A mum was left distraught when her autistic daughter was handed a Christmas card by a classmate saying 'I hate you'.

Litte Ella Singleton, nine, is extremely excited about Christmas and happily went around her classroom handing out greetings cards.

When she got some back Ella, who has struggle to make friends, was very happy and went around telling everyone about them.

But her mum Jenna Singleton, 32, from Liverpool, says she was left devastated when she came home and opened a card which read: "To Ella, Yappy Christmas, I hat [sic] you."

Poor Ella, who is severely autistic, reacted badly to the card and said she wanted to die.

She had to be stopped by a delivery man two streets away from her home when she tried to run away barefooted.

The nine-year-old was so upset over the incident, she ran away. Image: Caters News

Jenna, who does not wish to name the school, said: "Ella looks forward to Christmas so much like she does any big event. She has been counting down the days since Halloween.

"Ella was so excited to be receiving cards from class mates. It gave her a sense of belonging and was telling everyone the cards are from her 'friends'.

"The card she received yesterday really broke her heart. She became violent and agitated and said she wanted to die.

"She was crying her little heart out.

"She ran away two blocks in the cold and wet with bare feet – not even socks.

"She was contained by a parcel delivery driver and kept safe before her nan arrived at the scene.

"Ella kept randomly bursting out into tears saying everybody hates her and she should go away.

However, hurt mum Jenna, who gave up her job as an account manager to care for Ella, posted about her daughter's experience on social media.

She was then flooded with thousands of messages of support, which have gone a long way to helping Ella get over the hurt.

Jenna said: "Since I put the post up on Facebook Ella has been cheered right up. We are so very grateful for the kind words and offers of gifts, cards and days out.

"People are really so very generous. I'm overwhelmed."

Jenna is waiting for further assessments before moving her daughter away from mainstream education.

She wants to move her to a place more specially focused on looking after autistic children.

Jenna said: "Ella goes to a mainstream school however both school and family feel Ella needs to attend a school that can support her. At the moment we do not have an education, health and care plan so this is not possible.

Jenna wants more education for kids on autism and how to interact with those suffering from it. Image: Caters News

"The school is waiting for the official diagnosis before they apply as Ella is on the pathway at the moment. She is also being assessed for ADHD.

"Ella's symptoms are severe. She struggles academically and has sensory difficulties. She recently had to leave a Little Mix concert at the start due to sensory overload."

Jenna says the experience is an example of the lack of education people, especially children, receive about autism.

The hurtful card affected Ella even more because she had begun to feel she was fitting in better.

Her mum wishes there was more support from schools and businesses so the family can avoid snide comments and looks in the future.

Jenna said: "I would like schools to educate pupils about the likes of autism.

"I would also like to see more opportunities for families of children with autism.

"Autism friendly nights at restaurants would be good as that is something we can't do comfortably without getting stares and snide comments.

"I have had to give up a well-paid job to care for Ella due to the severity of her condition but have been refused disability living allowance for her. It's so hard having to fight for this when you are in genuine need.

"I think more needs to be done to help families with the financial strain without having to fight for it when you already have a big battle on your hands. It's exhausting."

Jenna has also revealed the mum of the child who wrote the card contacted her on Facebook to apologise, and said she was disgusted at her child's actions.